Page 18 of Make Me Bleed

So why do I feel a slight ache inside of me, the ache of his sudden absence, unsettling me far more than I can admit to even Bridget?

Why?

Because heismy mate—and my vampire territoriality is telling me that now that I know that he is, I can’t bear to be apart from my bear.

CHAPTER 6

GIRL TALK

Bridget takes me by the elbow, guiding me gently toward her couch.

“Sit.”

I fold my skirt under me and lower myself to the cushion.

She frowns. Of the two of us, she’s always been the more forceful one. Grateful that I invited her to share my apartment with me, giving her her own bedroom in the Sanguine at below market rate, she never bossed me around or anything. We were friends, even if I’m more of an introvert and homebody and Bridget is an extrovert who makes no apologies for herself.

From the moment we met, I adored that about her. She didn’t know me. She had no idea that I was a vampire, or that as handsy as Peter was, I was in no danger from him. He talks a big game, and I believe him when he says he’ll never give up, but he won’thurtme. Honestly? Hecan’t.

Did that stop her from bursting in on the scene, saving the day? It didn’t, and as soon as she mentioned she was looking for a place to stay, I knew how I could repay her. Unless a vamp vouches for you or you have an in with the other humans, it’s nearly impossible for an outsider to succeed in a Fang City.Bridget mentioned how everywhere she went to visit, hoping they had an opening in their housing, turned her down for one reason or another.

I knew the reason. She was human. Even if the other vampires could tell she was a witch, it wouldn’t change a thing. She didn’t have fangs so she didn’t have an apartment.

Until me. I offered her my spare room because I appreciated her help—and because a van Duren always settles their debts. I owed Bridget. And while I never expected how close we would become in the time since, I’m grateful toherfor her friendship.

In Alaska, finding herself with her magic, she’s more in her element than she was in Clarity. I’m the one who’s been lost and thirsty, struggling to make the most of it. Anything was better than going back to the lonely life I was living before I met Bridget so when she admitted she was staying here in Conall, of course I couldn’t leave.

Now? Knowing that Hank makes his home—hisden—in the woods surrounding Dyea, how can I leave?

But how can I go with him?

And if I can’t, what happens then? Everything I heard about shifters, especially the males, said they were proprietary and possessive, devoted and unable to resist the urge to be near their mates as often as possible. Take Conall. Even before Bridget knew the wolf shifter was her fated mate, he would stand outside the house we shared. He followed her into the caves to help her search for the magic crystal she needed, and in Dyea, he was her constant shadow, hiding behind his role as head of security.

Hank… he just left me.

Our one-way blood-bond is stretched. If I focus, I could probably pinpoint the exact spot he’s gone, but the fact that it’s outside of the sanctuary’s borders is enough. He left me, whether he thought he was being a good mate to me or not. He left, andwith a jab to the side and a whispered argument, Bridget makes her mate go.

Once the door closes behind the scowling Conall, I peer up at Bridget through the fringe of my eyelashes. “Did you just kick your wolf out of his own den?”

Bridget shrugs impishly. “I had to. This whole sitch screams ‘girl talk’ and I know you. If Conall’s lurking around, you’ll do that thing where you hold up your head, making your neck impossibly long and slender, while pretending like everything’s okay. But, babe, I don’t think everything’s okay.” Plopping down next to me, she bumps her shoulder against mine. “Come on. Open up. Tell Bridge all about it.”

Even before I knew she was capable of conjuring fire, I’ve always seen how Bridget burns for those she cares about—and I’ve never felt safer standing near where her heat can warm up my chilled skin. Sitting next to her, I instinctively search for her heat, leaning next to her.

Bridget reaches down, patting my thigh. “It’s a shock, ain’t it? When you realize that you’re looking at the only guy you’re gonna fuck for the rest of your life.”

Her tone is so casual, yet so supportive. But her words…

My lips were pursed together when her comment landed. My explosive chuckle ends up half-stifled, half-guffawed, a most unholy sound escaping me.

She grins. “Made you laugh.”

That she did.

She pats me again. “But in all honesty, I mean it. The idea offoreveris pretty fucking daunting. Like, what if I wake up and I’m allergic to fur? Or Conall loses his rose-colored glasses and realizes that I’m a pain in the ass.” It’s Bridge’s turn to chuckle. “Literally. Every time I see the scar on his ass, I have to fight the urge to go down on my knees and kiss it to apologize. Thenagain, considering how much he’s learned to like it when I drop to my knees…”

When it comes to everything else in this world, Bridget can’t help but think that I’m too sweet and innocent for it. The only exception? Sex. Bridget knows all about my extensive sex life, and how I’ve been celibate ever since I ended my arrangement with Peter.

Her patting becomes a teasing prod with two fingers. “It’s a good thing that vampires breathe more out of habit than out of necessity. I mean, you?” She holds up her hand, her pointer finger and thumb about an inch apart. “And him?” Now her right palm is flat, her left palm is flat, and she holds them about a foot away from each other. “If he’s at all proportional, I can’t see how you won’t choke on his dick when you blow him.”

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